Picking up the rental car earlier than the time on your reservation

[PryncessChrysty]

Our current reservation with Dollar is for 10:30pm, but we were able to change our flight to an earlier arrival and will now need the car at 8:30pm. When I try to modify the reservation, our price goes up by more than $100!

I really don't want to call to modify it because I had to do that for our last trip and we weren't able to do the online check in before we left. There was also a mix-up when we went to pick up the car, which turned into a huge hassle and lots of wasted time.

I know that ultimately it will be based on availability, but has anyone had experience with a situation this? I really don't want to pay $100 more for 90 minutes.

If it helps, our return time is 12pm, so it shouldn't be charging us for a full extra day....not anymore than we're already being charged, at least. And we are definitely not paying anywhere near $100/day (even with the taxes & fees).

 

[seashoreCM]

Just show up. Been there done that with great but less than 100% success!

Most likely you can pick up your rental car early but this is not guaranteed. In addition some agencies including Payless may or may not try to upsell y ou by telling you you can pick it up early only if you upgrade at extra cost. (I sugest just say no)

Depending on your return time, picking up the car early may result in going over into the next day (24 hour period) unless you also return the car earlier than originally planned. Look at the contract carefully to see that they did not give you the car early but leave the return time unchanged and now running into the next day.

Do not keep a car overtime without first getting permission preferably in writing. Othrewise the company might refigure the entire rental starting with pickup time at a new higher rate.

The full exrtra day rate printed on your contract (varies from one rental to another) might apply if you are more than two hours or even if you are more than one hour into the next day.

Note that the extra day rate for most Priceline rentals is $99.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm